Football launching apparatus
US3977386A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 14, 1974 |
| Grant date | Aug 31, 1976 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 14, 1994 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA63B2069/402
- WIPO fieldFurniture, games
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A launching device for propelling a football into an airborne trajectory with the football pointed forwardly and rotating about its longitudinal axis similar to a forward pass in the game of football. The launching device includes a spring-biased, retractable catapult arm with a ball-holding basket on the end thereof. The device is provided with a governor which delays the launching of the ball for a predetermined time period to allow the user to move into position for receiving the ball. The launching device includes height adjustments and spring tension adjustments for regulating the trajectory of the football. A safety interlocking mechanism is provided to prevent the launching of foreign objects. The device cannot be operated unless a football is loaded in the basket. The basket has a size, shape, orientation and edge portion which accurately simulates the trajectory of a thrown football by imparting a spiral spin to the football.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.